Camping Highlights (vol 4)

Subtitled:

A quick get-a-way

To honor the goal of recreation

With some:

 Yummy Marshmallows:

Competitive 4-Square!

A bit of exercise:

And a bit of rest:

As Kathryn puts it,

"I don't want to overexert myself!"

So the next time you feel a little burnt-out:

Peel away the blackness and you'll find the good stuff beneath!

Because a little fire and some fresh air is just what the Doctor ordered!

Thanks, Doc!

We feel much better.  :) 

Maybe it's because I'm getting a quick break from chasing the two sleepers below:

Camping Highlights (vol 3)

Just a relaxing camping trip:

Dad and the big kids went froggin after dark; Minus Gabrielle who was cat-fishing with Grandpa.

Mom sat by the fire a bit, then nestled in bed with a new book.

(As well as a 9month pregnant woman can nestle, that is.)

Here is a clip:

More Fishing:

Luke

Michael and Daniel

John and Gina

Vincent's First Fish with Grandpa's Assistance

Teamwork:

Sometimes, one's role on the team is to cheer the others on as they carry the load.

At least that's what I keep telling myself as Princess Gina was being carried on her throne to the lake.

And, Rudy learned to swim.

We have proof!

Until Next Time...

Camping Highlights (vol 2)

First Knight:

Vincent comes to the rescue...ready to feed his Mama!

(and maybe himself-do you notice the drool?)

Day 2:

The Trout Fishing Adventure:

By Luke

We got ready to go trout fishing. We changed hooks on some of the poles, got some buckets and nets and put them into the van. Dad, Grandpa, me, Michael, Daniel, John and Gina all piled in the van and went to the trout stream. When we got there, we noticed we forgot the bait at the campground so we had to use jigs.

We fished for a while. Well, Dad, Grandpa and I fished, and Michael, Daniel, John and Gina played in the crossing of the trout stream, where it was more shallow. Dad caught the first trout. It was a rainbow trout; not too big, but not small. Then Dad caught another rainbow, but Daniel pulled it in. After a while I spotted a big trout and yelled, "Dad I found a huge one!" Dad ran over. I was trying to catch it for about five or ten minutes, then Dad came over and tried. He said we would need to use live bait to catch it, so I ran over to get a crayfish and june bug that we caught while we were there. Dad tried calling me back when he hooked it with his white jig, but I didn't hear him. Then the trout broke his line and started swimming. Dad swooped down and stuck his thumb up its gill just as it was getting away, and pulled it out of the water. I was really excited.

When we got back to the van, the dead trout weighed 7 pounds 12 oz. My dad said it probably lost almost a half of pound since the time it died. We ended with 9 trout. We also came back with some baby crayfish and 2 bullfrogs for the pond.

Luke and Dad

Can you see the white jig stuck in the top lip?

I told them to bring dinner home, what a good crew!

Daniel, Luke, Michael, John

John was interested in finding rocks and playing with chubs.

Michael wins the award for staying the most dry.

Gina picking "flowers"

As they filleted the trout, John pipes up, "Is Jonah in there?"

(he must have thought it was big!)

It was confirmed a girl- another big mama!

This was Luke's dinner, until it fell into the fire...

He was hoping for cheek patches. I think he rescued one of them!

Cooling off at the beach:

And canoeing...

Kathryn and Gabrielle took over the canoe once it arrived, and gave free rides and fishing opportunities to those who wanted to partake.

We even got to celebrate Gabrielle's 12th Birthday early!

*or by the looks of the picture, late*

Day 3:

I'm Stumped...

Well, more so, humiliated!

Chalk me up with those woman drivers...

argh...

Ya know, a while back, I told my hubby he should get bigger tires and jack the truck up a bit.

I forgot that he didn't do that yet...

Why kids should play with legos:

Until next time...

Camping highlights

Yes, this post is a few days behind. I'm finding I need to put blogging on the reward side of things. Practicing what I preach, "Take care of your responsibilities, then you can have computer time." This is really hard! I'm mostly caught up! I also tell them, "A mother's work is never done." This way, I get some time. ;)

-1-

Vincent helping Dad set up the camper.

-2-

When the chairs aren't out, build some with Legos!

-3-

The kids caught fish and frogs! Lots of them. To restock our pond. One time, Gabrielle came back from the watering hole early with the bucket. Luke came back a little later stating, "I need to change my shirt! Gabrielle left with the bucket and look at all the frogs I caught! Only one jumped out of my sleeve, but I got it back!" Yes, picture this, shirt tucked in, frogs between his bare belly and his shirt, one hopping out of his short sleeve; Luke containing the others as he re-caught the escaper, and hiked to our site with a wet shirt full of leaping bullfrogs!

-4-

Gina and Vincent "sharing"

-5-

Gina: "I Gina Princess! Dad, you the King!" I wish I could have captured the melting of Daddy's heart when she said this. His smile and hug to his little princess said volumes!

-6-

The Ritual "Tea Party"

-7-

Come and Get It!

-8-

The boys were playing soccer with our neighboring camping boys. One of the neighbors should have earned a few red cards. I think my boys had enough. Their cousin was being taunted by this boy, and John ran over to tell them to leave him alone and not mess with him. Then Daniel ran over. He placed his hands on his hips, gave a stern look and made himself look strong. I was a bit worried about a physical fight, but wanted to see how they would handle the situation on their own, so I kept my distance. We adults could see an exchange of words, catching a few words here and there. Michael walked over for reinforcement. Luke thought they had it under control so waited for them to disperse. They worked it out! Maybe the neighbor boy realized he was outnumbered, but I was happy to see my boys stick up for their cousin.

-9-

Dad, Grammie, and the kids went on a couple bike rides, leaving 'big mama' at the campsite. I managed to hold back the urge to go into town and pick up my house and relaxed with the book Left to Tell. Immaculee Ilibagiza shares the reality of humanity: our struggle to live in love; and our union with God as the means to accomplish such a feat.

After reading this book, I am reminded that we only receive love by fervently praying to the One who gives love. By uniting with the One who is love and forgiveness, we are able to hand ourselves over to His will in each situation. We begin to recognize that He IS always with us; giving us the love, strength, peace and wisdom to share with those around us. Someone recently reminded me, "Love transforms the most horrible into the most beautiful. Just look at the crucifixion, the killing of God."

All for a greater good!

-10-

Some of the crew saying goodbye

Elizabeth, Daniel, Michael, Andrew, Gabrielle, John

"Love until it hurts, and your will find that there is no hurt, but only more love."

-Mother Teresa

*Last 6 photos courtesy of Grammie. Thank you!